Monday, October 03, 2011

PKA at Utah Suspended for Alcohol Violations

A fraternity chapter has been suspended by Utah State University for anapparent recent alcohol policy violation, the university announced Friday.

According to Logan City Police Department officials, police responded to amedical call on Sept. 26 from the Gamma Epsilon chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha,located at 757 E. 700 North near USU in Logan. An "underage female"was sent to Logan Regional Hospital with an "extremely elevated alcohollevel," according to Lt. Brad Franke.

When The Herald Journal reached the chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha for comment, aresident said, "not interested," and hung up.

Police officials said USU made a records request on the case, which led USUPresident Stan Albrecht to announce the suspension Friday.

"We feel we have the right to take any steps necessary to keep theuniversity and its members safe," said James Morales, vice president ofstudent services, when contacted Friday. "What we do know is sufficientfor us to take action, as the president has taken, and implement thissuspension immediately."

Morales said the chapter has not "disbanded," and students areable to stay in the home because it is private. Since the Gamma Epsilon chapterof Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity is no longer officially "recognized" byUSU, it has "limited or no" access to USU services pending theoutcome of the investigation, he said.

A statement from Albrecht released Friday said, "The suspension will befor an indefinite period of time pending the outcome of furtherinvestigation."

Morales would not comment on the nature of the alleged violations or say ifmore than one student was involved in the situation.

"We have a relationship with these Greek organizations, and we likethat we have that relationship because they're part of the localcommunity," Morales said. "But we don't have legal oversight of thembeyond the fact that we can recognize them as organizations."